HOUSE OF LORDS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Die Mercurii 22° Martii 2000

The House met at half-past two oclock.

PRAYERS were read by the Lord Bishop of Southwark.

Judicial Business

1. Clark (Her Majestys Inspector of Taxes) (Petitioner) v. Trustees of the British Telecom Pension Scheme and others (Respondents)The petition of Paul Alexander Clark praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.

2. Regina v. London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and others (Respondents) ex parte Trustees of CPRE, London Branch (Petitioners)The petition of the Trustees of CPRE, London Branch praying for leave to appeal notwithstanding that the time limited by Standing Order II has expired was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.

3. Mohamed (Respondent) v. London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (Petitioners)The petition of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham praying for leave to appeal notwithstanding that the time limited by Standing Order II has expired was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.

The petition of the appellants praying that the appeals be conjoined, that they be allowed to lodge separate statements and cases and one appendix in respect of the two appeals and be separately represented and that the respondents have leave to lodge separate cases in respect of the two appeals (the agents for the respondents consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

6. Bettison and others (Respondents) v. Langton and others (Appellants)The petition of the appellants praying that the time for lodging the statement and appendix and setting down the cause for hearing might be extended to 3rd May next (the agents for the respondents consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

Papers

7. Command PapersThe following papers were presented to the House by command of Her Majesty and ordered to lie on the Table:

1. Commercial DebtsExchange of Notes between the United Kingdom and Bolivia concerning certain commercial debts; (4641)

2. European CommunitiesPartnership and Co-operation agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Kazakhstan, of the other part; (4627)

4. National Health Service (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2000, laid under the National Health Service Act 1977. (837)

Public Business

10. Business of the HouseIt was moved by the Baroness Jay of Paddington that the debate on the motion in the name of the Baroness Chalker of Wallasey set down for today shall be limited to 3 hours and that in the name of the Baroness Park of Monmouth to 2 hours; the motion was agreed to.

11. Consolidation BillsA message was brought from the Commons that they agree that the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills should meet at a quarter-past four oclock on Tuesday 28th March.

12. Census (Amendment) Bill [HL]It was ordered that a message be sent to the Commons to request that the Commons may be pleased to return the bill because clause 2 is incorrect.

13. Africa (3-hour debate)It was moved by the Baroness Chalker of Wallasey that there be laid before the House papers relating to the opportunities and challenges in Africa and the ways in which the United Kingdom can enhance economic growth both in that continent and at home; after debate, the motion was (by leave of the House) withdrawn.

14. Northern Ireland (2-hour debate)It was moved by the Baroness Park of Monmouth that there be laid before the House papers relating to the intrinsic issues in Northern Ireland; after debate, the motion was (by leave of the House) withdrawn.

15. Census (Amendment) Bill [HL]The bill was returned from the Commons pursuant to the message of this day.

16. Disabled peopleThe Baroness Wilkins asked Her Majestys Government what plans they have for the future of personal assistance support for disabled people of working age in order to further the Governments policies for independent living, welfare to work and the prevention of social exclusion; after debate, the question was answered by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham.